Scanned Images
Optimising tone reproduction is usually the key to the best possible black and white reproduction. To optimise print contrast, all halftones should compensate for a 30 -35% dot gain on Press. Any shadow in excess of 85% can be expected to print solid.

Type
Sans serif typefaces are the best choices for newsprint reproduction. Type faces with thin or delicate serifs and strokes and non-uniform character thickness should be avoided. For best legibility, we recommend using type sized at least 7 points for black type without a screen

Screened Type
When screening type, avoid fine to medium weight type and always use sans serif typefaces. Type size should be at least 10 points bold.

Reversed Type
To assure quality reproduction, use a type size greater than 10 points, on a background of not less than 40% screen.

Sur-printed Type
When sur-printing type over a tint, use a bold type on a screen (background) not heavier than 20%.

Spot Colours
When creating an ad to be printed as spot colour, only use a combination of two process colours, and there must not be any information on the unused plate. For example, a spot colour ad using #75 Red (M100 Y60) should not have any information on the cyan plate. Any supporting files such as a PhotoShop image or an illustrator EPS must follow the same rule. All colour elements in a spot colour ad must be prepared with the specified CMYK mix or a tint of that CMYK mix.

Spot colours sold and printed in the newspaper industry do not match Pantone colours. The CMYK equivalent when printed on newsprint will not match the PMS colour as it appears in the Pantone swatch book. Many colours found in the Pantone swatch book are out of the gamut (printable range) of newspaper production. Please refer to The Nation tint chart as your colour guide.

A maximum ink density of 240% is recommended.

Colour Text
Black text should only be created using 100% black, four (4) colour black should never be used with text or other elements. When setting type in colour 18 point is the minimum recommended size. No more than two (2) process colours are recommended for colour type, which should be in a sans serif typeface.

Knockout/Overprint
18 point is the minimum recommended type size when using knockout text on a colour background.

When using black type on a colour background, overprinting black is recommended for best reproduction.

Size and weight of type must be taken into account when deciding to overprint or knockout, remembering also that all inks/colours are translucent in newsprint. Knock/Overprint should be set per element, not to the entire document.

Specs for Photographic Scans - Screen ruling: 85 lpi or 170 dpi (resolution).

Specs for Line Art Scans - 300 lpi or 600 dpi (resolution).

Negatives - We no longer accept ads as film negatives.

Types of Disk Mediums Accepted

• 100MB Zip
• 250MB Zip
• CD

Type of Macintosh and IBM Compatible Formats Accepted

• ALL electronic files MUST be accompanied by a PROOF.
• ALL colour ads MUST also be accompanied by a COLOUR PROOF.
• ALL electronic files MUST be accompanied by a PROOF.
• ALL electronic files MUST be accompanied by a PROOF.
• ALL electronic files MUST be accompanied by a PROOF.
• ALL electronic files MUST be accompanied by a PROOF.
  Freehand - EPS
     - Convert TEXT to PATHS
  Adobe Illustrator - EPS or PDF
     - Convert TEXT to OUTLINE
  CorelDraw - EPS or TIF
     - Convert TEXT to CURVES
  Acrobat - PDF*
  * We will advise all providers of electronic files on the acceptance of PDF files.
• We DO NOT accept ads created in Microsoft Word or any of the Microsoft applications.
• All images and/or illustrations should be IMPORTED or PLACED as the case may be, and SHOULD NOT be COPIED or PASTED (IBM compatible users).
• All fonts in electronic files should be converted to the relevant format, and photographs, illustrations and/or images imbedded within files wherever applicable.
• When saving files, please be sure to carefully follow the necessary instructions, which will guarantee that files will be printed out correctly.

Deadlines

• ALL ads saved in the relevant formats, are due to The Nation by 4:00 p.m., two working days prior to publication. Late ads are subject to 50% late fee charge.

The size of the Nation newspaper is 14" tall x 10.5" (6 columns) wide. Our column sizes are as follows:

• 1 column - 1.667" or 10 picas
• 2 columns - 3.443" or 20p6 picas
• 3 columns - 5.2" or 31 picas
• 4 columns - 6.967" or 42 picas
• 5 columns - 8.733" or 52p4 picas
• 6 columns - 10.5" or 63 picas
• Double page spread - 21.5" or 129 picas

For further technical information ONLY, you may contact Keith Lawrence, Pre-press Manager at 246-430-5451 or e-mail keithlawrence@nationnews.com.